Religious Education for Youth
Register Children and Teens for the Religious Education Programs!
Children and teens will be welcomed to their new classes for the coming program-year on Ingathering Sunday, September 9th. We ask that families register all children and teens in Nursery through High School so that we may keep you informed about important news and special events. Registration also insures that there will be materials and supplies in place for everyone. Don’t delay, register today by completing and returning these downloadable forms.
See below for Religious Education Classes For Youth
Email Karen Lewis to sign up or get further information.
Grade 7 & 8 - Neighboring Faiths
9:15 - 10:30 a.m.
OR 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Seventh graders, and eighth graders not participating in the Our Whole Lives class, will explore religions of the world through stories, study and visits to churches, temples and mosques in the Dallas area. Special guest speakers from other faiths will visit the class from time to time to share information and stories of their own faith journey. The youth will
deepen their understanding and appreciation of the world's major religions through guided discussions comparing and contrasting the major tenets of each faith and those of Unitarian Universalism.
Grade 8 - Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education
9:15 am - 10:45 am ONLY
Youth who participate in this class will end the year equipped with accurate, age-appropriate information about human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view, comprehensive sexuality education helps class members clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality. Parent participation at the orientation session and
signed parent-permission forms are required in order to enroll 8th-graders in this course. Should an 8thgrader choose not to participate in OWL, or should they register for classes after October 1st, they may choose the class for 7th- and 8th-graders which meets at 9:15 or 11:30.
Grade 9 - Coming of Age
11:15 am - 12:45 pm ONLY
Crossing the bridge from childhood to young adulthood is a milestone worthy of our attention as a faith community. During this important year, youth are provided opportunities to explore their maturing religious identity, as they learn more about the history of our faith, begin to clarify their personal religious positions, and are invited to join the Church. The year culminates in a ceremony of congregational recognition of the Coming of Age Class, and a heritage trip in the early summer. Parents and students are asked to attend special meetings throughout the year including orientation, fundraising and
planning.
Grades 10 through 12 - YRUU Young Religious Unitarian Universalists
10:30 am - 12:45 p.m. ONLY
The five pillars of YRUU (fellowship, social action/ community service, intellectual growth, worship and leadership development) are central to time spent together on Sunday mornings. With guidance from the Youth-Adult Committee, youth determine topics for worship and discussion, and plan social events throughout the year. Caring and dedicated advisors assist the youth as they explore together what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. In addition to time spent together on Sunday mornings, members of YRUU participate in several community service projects. Each spring, the youth also present a
worship service to the larger congregation. They broaden their understanding of leadership in the areas of social justice and community service during their annual end-of-year service trip in June.
Summer Sundays
Classes for pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade are offered in a relaxed environment, with each Sunday’s activities designed as an independent unit. Sunday mornings provide meaningful content while accommodating the vacation
schedules of our families. Attendance on Sundays when children are in town is strongly encouraged in order to maintain important friendships and a sense of continuity.
Worship for Teens
Youth in seventh through twelfth grades begin each Sunday in their classrooms. There they light the chalice, share opening words, spend time sharing joys and concerns, may meditate or pray and share a closing ritual at the end of class. This
more intimate environment promotes friendships and a deeper understanding of what it means to be in a faith community. |
